Film Studio Transforms Leeds TV Archive into Independent Coffee House

A former TV archive on Kirkstall Road is the unusual location for a new Coffee House, Bar and Event Space - aptly named ARCHIVE.

Opening its doors to the public on Monday 11th February, ARCHIVE adjoins Prime Studio’s main production facility, where high profile dramas like The ABC Murders (BBC) are the usual bread and butter.

Moving through the early morning caffeine hit (with a regularly updated rotation of great coffee blends), ARCHIVE will initially stay open until 6pm. The menu will offer up classic brunches and hearty lunches, with food sourced from local suppliers. There will be plenty of veggie options, plus vegan alternatives. The full menu will be revealed before launch.

ARCHIVE will offer the local community and TV industry alike a unique and comfortable space in this sometimes forgotten quarter of the city centre. Developed alongside a large adjoining event space, ARCHIVE has the facilities to cater for everything, from art exhibitions to live music, and has already hosted Red Bull’s music tour.

The first exhibition has been announced and will open to the public on 12th February. Bands FC will be showcasing their football badges and merchandise in Leeds for the first time. An idea which was initially simply drawing bands as football teams and football teams as bands has now created over 400 collaboration badges. The exhibition will show in the event space until 20th February, where merchandise can also be bought.

Prime Studios’ Managing Director Ben Hepworth:

“Prime Studios is the ultimate multi-use venue, and has hugely diversified since we opened as a film and TV production facility in 2012. As we’ve expanded the site, production activity has increased and new tenants have set up here, but until now, there has been nowhere within reach of the studios for people to eat and drink. ARCHIVE has been a labour of love for me, from start to finish, and caps-off a brilliant twelve months, which has seen us welcome legends like John Malkovich, Rupert Grint, Bill Nighy and Keira Knightley. I’m thrilled that we are finally ready to open our doors to the public, who will help us to create new stories in this unique community space.”

ARCHIVE is set to officially open on 11th February 2019, with a soft launch from 7th February.